iWork4Him PowerThought

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace. Frederick Buechner once said, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I believe the greatest need is the healing of the lost and broken. Likely you have noticed brokenness in your workplace that needs to be healed. What are you doing about it? Praying about it? Seeking to understand it? Trying to find the person who is causing the brokenness? In our workplaces, we often find broken people bring their brokenness to work with them, and it multiplies. It's one reason you as a Jesus-follower are there. That brokenness needs healing, and you know the best healer in the world. Remember, since we follow Jesus, we are healers too.

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace. You may be saying to yourself, but how do I bring healing to my workplace when I am so broken myself? As a Jesus-follower, you serve the ultimate healer. For the woman at the well, he didn't just give her water; he gave her healing from the inside out. She was a broken woman who had been married five times. No matter what is broken inside of you, Jesus can handle it. In Luke 4:18, Jesus says, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Remember, Jesus is a healer, and since we follow Jesus, we are healers too.

In 2006 I started a new job commuting 90 miles each way to work. I made a commitment to not turn on the radio on my way into work. I wanted to dedicate that time to pray for my family, my bosses and their families, my co-workers, and my employees. I learned to be quiet and I learned to make notes when I heard things from the Lord in my prayer time. I like to say that it Changed my life. Over the 4 years of this commute, I watched one of my Bosses come to be a Jesus follower and one rededicate his life to Christ. I was able to pray many times with my employees and I was able to demonstrate through service and friendship that my life was changed by Jesus. iWork4Him was launched through this prayer time and the iWork4Him Nation Covenant was birthed out of the process God took me through.

Changing the world. We all have that secret desire, don't we? Changing the world in Kingdom terms is not measured in the BIG, the BIGGER and the BIGGEST actions in our life and work. It's the opposite. Changing the world happens, one person, one word and one action at a time. It can be as small as a smile, a kind word, or a self-less act of service. It's counter-intuitive, just like the work of Christ. So how about you? Would you like to change the world? Would you be willing to start today, changing the corner of the world where God has placed YOU? We invite you to start changing the world RIGHT NOW, with ONE smile, ONE kind word, and ONE kind action.

Life/work balance. How many of us have fallen for that myth and tried to make it happen? Only to fail over and over… a business coach we interviewed has a better concept. How about living an INTEGRATED LIFE? One that brings Christ into each aspect of our life and work, so that we are putting The Lord, not our futile "balance" efforts, first. So how about you? Are you ready to live ONE INTEGRATED LIFE, where you represent the Lord, you listen to the Lord, and let Him show you your priorities every day? Join us in this prayer: Father, today, I submit my day, my plans to you. Please show me YOUR PRIORITIES for my day. In Jesus's Name, Amen

Are you stuck in a rut or comfortably nestled in there? Have you been "doing your Christianity the same way, with the same people, in the same ministry, in the same church? In the same type of work? With the same company?" When's the last time you stopped, poked your head UP OUT OF THE daily rut and asked "Lord, am I doing your will? Am I doing ministry and my work YOUR WAY? Where do YOU want me?" So how about you? When's the last time you considered re-thinking how you're walking out your faith? And who you're working or ministering with? When's the last time you got UNCOMFORTABLE, in order to follow The Lord? We invite you TODAY, to ask in prayer "Lord, where do you want me?"

I'm not sure why Christians celebrate Halloween, but for some reason, we love to be scared. Do you know what's really scary? Christians who turn off their faith at work. For some reason, when we go to work, many of us switch off our faith. Did Jesus only die for your Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights? No, he died for all of you, especially your work life. When we bring Jesus to work with us, everyone around us will benefit from Him living in us, whether they believe in Him or not. Flip your faith back on and throw away the switch. The people you work with are counting on it. Romans 12:2 reminds us to let God transform you by changing the way you think…about work. Don't be scary leave your light on at work.

Do you need to be removed? Sometimes, we start something and think we are supposed to stay in it, lead it, and serve it. And, we stay IN IT…sometimes too long. We no longer seek the Lord's counsel about IF we should still BE where He placed us. Sometimes He just wants us to START something, sometimes He wants us to "help get it off the ground", NOT stay and lead it or serve it. Sometimes, the BEST thing we can do for the work He asked us to start is to leave. So how about you? Are you staying in some work or ministry too long? When's the last time you prayed about what God would have you do next? We invite you today, to take your work to the cross and ask "Lord where do you want me? And what would you have me do?"

I try to keep my heart pure and intimate with Christ, so I can be a source of light and encouragement to the people I work with. That's the faith at work philosophy of a millennial professional we interviewed. What a beautiful philosophy of how we can really prepare and BE Christ at work. So how about you? Is your heart pure and intimate with Christ so YOU can be a source of light and encouragement to YOUR co-workers? How about today, before stepping into work, you prayed this prayer: Father, purify my heart, that may I BE Christ to everyone I work with today. Use me Father, to be a source of light and encouragement to everyone I work with. In Jesus's name.

Heard this great reminder from a manager of a Christian Retail company "The biggest challenges in my life and work have been when I have forgotten WHO God is, or WHO I AM in Christ." So how about you? Are you in the midst of a challenge at work? If so, CLING to the words of God. Remind yourself right now who you are IN HIM, not the words of what the world tells you. Here are just a few: I am a child of God, I am Jesus' friend, I am a NEW creation, I am an heir with Christ, I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God and I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

What's the fastest way to get what you DON'T want? Tell the Lord "I will NEVER _________________" Yep, just ask any other Christ follower who's made the mistake of saying something like that. You WILL end up being exactly where YOU said you would NEVER be or DOING something you said you would never do. Our thoughts are not God's thoughts and His ways are NOT our ways. We don't have the big picture, but God does. So how about YOU? We're challenging you to remove the word NEVER from your vocabulary and to replace it with scripture, such as Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Have you ever considered that God wants to use YOUR business influence, the position He's put you in, as a "platform" for Him? A stage on which to do your work while others watch and see HOW you work? If you lead just ONE person or have interact with groups of people inside OR outside your business, like vendors or, contractors, then you have a platform. A platform designed by GOD for you, for such a time as this. That you would work for His glory, show His characteristics of caring, courage, diligence, fairness, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. So how about you? When they watch you work do, they see YOU, or do they see Christ?

Have you ever met someone that lives one integrated life? They seem to flow seamlessly between their work and personal life without pause or care. What is this? It's authenticity. And its attraction is unparalleled. How is it possible? It's living a life based on Godly values. I'd hazard a guess a person like this lives their values in this order: God, Family, and Service. When we LIVE BY our values, decisions are easier, relationships are easier, and knowing where to invest our time, talent and treasure is easier. Because our values ARE our priority. And our heart lines up with our values, and those line up with our thoughts, our thoughts then direct our words and actions. How are YOU living your values at work today?

Culture. Webster's defines it in the corporate realm as: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization. How aware are YOU of YOUR COMPANY'S culture? When's the last time you really stopped and took a look at it? How does it align with your OWN personal values as a Christ follower? And if you're a leader, what are you doing to ensure your culture aligns with God's word and will? Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." What is ONE ACTION you will take THIS WEEK, to align YOUR CULTURE with God's will?

72% of people who get up and go to work every day think "nobody cares about me". That's a WHOLE LOT of hurting people that will never experience God's love. So, what if we just took God's love to them? What if there was a chaplain in the workplace that looks just like them, that meets them where they are; to just listen, pray and love them? Workplace chaplains DO exist and are more and more common in today's workplaces! And THAT is the gospel! Echoing Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9, "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." So, we challenge you, look into finding a chaplain for your people and transform your workplace into a place where people are loved.

Generosity. Is it an action, a state of the heart, or a mind-set? I heard recently that generosity is BEST when it includes all three and we compare it with IMPACT. Have you ever thought about your giving in this way? That your giving could possibly be leveraged for the highest impact for eternity? What if we all stopped and looked and prayed over the resources we have, and re-committed the 10% tithe of all our income, to MAXIMIZE impact for the Kingdom? Isaiah 32:8 says "But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity." What will you do today, to put on this new "eternal" mindset of generosity?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Are you a Christian standing alone in your work or professional life? Are YOU standing alone in OTHER areas of your life? What if you prayed and asked for a group that you could "do life and work" together with? We, as God's creation, were BUILT for community. IF you have no community, you may be operating out of God's will or, slogging or surviving, vs. thriving. We challenge you today, to ask a trusted Christian friend, or to go online and search for a Christ-honoring community to be a part of.

I can't stand getting up any earlier than 6am. Who are these people who love to get up at 4:30am and work out? I find myself resenting them. I have never had the motivation to do anything before 6am, but I do try to make the most of the time from 6am to 7am. This is my quiet time, the time I use to center myself on God by praying for others, studying my bible, and writing in my prayer journal. The days I start with God, are the best days of the week. The days I sleep in and rush into my home office, never go as well. God wants our first hour of the day to remind us of His love for us and to remind us that He wants to be present in our work. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace". If you find your morning anything but peaceful, include God in your routine. Just not before 6am.

Do you sit all day long like I do? I find that somedays, the only exercise I get is walking to the mailbox or the kitchen. I sit in front of this computer and I work. I have come to realize that my body craves exercise. IT craves moving around and getting outside, and when I give my body this activity, my mind seems to settle in, and my work seems to flow easier. My soul needs exercise too. When I exercise my soul through prayer, bible reading and journaling, that exercise prepares me for my workday. God designed our bodies for exercise, Physical movement for our joints, muscles and ligaments and spiritual movement of our heart's minds soul and strength. Proverbs 31:17 says, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." Are you working out your body or your mind? Take time in your morning prep for some spiritual exercise too.

What is the first thing you do in the morning when you get up? Do you look at your phone and check emails before you get out of bed? I find that my best mornings start when I ignore my phone and pop open my bible and my journal instead. Since we really don't know what is ahead in our work today, its important that we spend time with the One who knows what is ahead. When my mind is racing, thinking of my full calendar and the emails I need to return, I find that I push my Father aside. I say I will get back to Him when I have gotten my day in order, but I never do. Psalm 127: 1 says "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." I think that House is you. Start building your days with Him as your foundation and see the difference it makes as you walk together with God in your work.

Did you wake up tired today or press that snooze bar? Did you find yourself scrambling to get ready for that first zoom call of the day? Life and work can be exhausting. What is the best way to prepare your heart for what God has in store for you today at work? I don't think rushing around and running late is helping prepare your heart. For me, it's the still, quiet time, that feeds my soul and prepares me for the unknown ahead in my day. My best days start with quiet time, reading my bible, a devotional and writing in my prayer journal. Mark 1:35 says … "Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer." Jesus made prayer a priority and so should we. Tomorrow, lets get up a few minutes earlier and spend our first moments with Him and feel the difference it makes as we prepare for work.

Preparing to go to work these days looks and feels different. What does that look like for you? Is it showering and getting dressed or throwing on a robe? Maybe, for you, it's having that first shot of caffeine or perhaps its eating that healthy meal or drinking a vitamin filled smoothie. Maybe it involves getting your kids ready or helping your live-in parent get their day started. Whatever your routine, it's that routine that prepares you for your work. As you prep for your day, where does God fit in? You may look good on the outside, and be well fed, but is your soul well fed and prepared. Psalm 5:3 says, "Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart." If you missed God in your prep this morning, stop right now and invite Him into your day because He loves you and wants you to be prepared for your work.

It comes as no surprise that less than 20 percent of Americans regularly attend church. But just about all Americans have a job. So, we COULD say that not everybody has a pastor, but just about everybody has a boss. So how will the other 80% of Americans find out about Jesus Christ if they are not stepping into a church? The current population of the US is about 330 million. So that's 264 Million people that WE can witness to through our daily interactions in our jobs. You are the one that has been chosen. You ARE CHRIST'S AMBASSADOR, for such a time as this. Today, won't YOU PRAY AND COMMIT to BE Christ-like at work, to everyone you work with?

In the past couple of months, I've heard one word repeatedly out of the mouths of followers of Christ who bring their faith into the workplace: INTENTIONALITY. Intentionality is a concept defined as "the power of a mind to stand for things, properties and states of affairs". WAS and IS Jesus intentional? You bet. Should WE be intentional? You bet. HOW DO we shift to this state of intentionality? By starting with the Lord and asking what His intention is for OUR DAY? For OUR WORK? For OUR TEAM and the clients we serve. By the way, the opposite of intentionality is unconsciously or unknowingly. How will YOU shift the mindset of YOUR work from unconscious to INTENTIONAL, for HIS glory?

What do you think would happen to our economy, our country, if all the working Christians decided to "go into ministry"? There would be no "marketplace", our economy would collapse and we would be thrown into chaos. Could it be that is NOT God's plan or design for us? What if each of us were CALLED TO MINISTRY IN OUR WORK, right where we're planted? And that OUR JOB IS our pulpit, our work performance then becomes our Christ-like message and our co-workers our "congregation". Now THAT'S a powerful realistic vision for building the Kingdom. James 2:14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? How will YOU SHIFT your work to be a ministry TODAY?

Humility. The term "humility" comes from the Latin word humilitas, a noun related to the adjective humilis, which can be translated as "humble", but also as "grounded", or "from the earth", since it derives from HUmus (earth). The greatest leaders, including our Lord have it. CS Lewis said: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of YOURSELF LESS." What if TODAY, you and I, thought of ourselves less at work, and started to think MORE about others. James 4:10 says it best: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. And how about Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. How will YOU work from a place of humility today?

What's the difference between a career and a vocation? Career is defined as an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life with opportunities for progress. A VOCATION, on the other hand, is defined as a person's main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication. WOW. That's a big difference. We heard recently that as a Christ-follower, we should seek to have a VOCATION vs. a Career. Because having a vocation keeps us focused on building the Kingdom and living and working FOR the Kingdom of God. Which one do YOU have? What could you do this month, to shift YOUR CAREER into a VOCATION?

In our 2021 book, iWork4Him, I wrote a chapter about the four lies we've swallowed that shape how we live out our faith at work – some of which I personally believed for many years. Over the last week, we have touched on each of these lies, and all of them have one thing in common: they strangle our faith. When we relegate Jesus to one day a week, we cut the world off from what it needs most: hope. Every single person you encounter at work desperately needs the gospel - it's literally a matter of life and death! God has placed you right where you are so that you can be his messenger of mercy and truth. Matthew 5 says, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven!" Don't let the lies of the enemy keep your faith contained – go out and shine!

In our 2021 book, iWork4Him, Jim wrote a chapter about the lies we've swallowed that shape how we live out our faith at work. The fourth lie he wrote about was that the American Dream is biblical truth for Christians. Because the truth is, it's not. And more than that, it's not guaranteed! Material things will never bring true happiness or fulfillment and they should never be our end goal. After all, you can't take it with you! And when we focus on giving just 10% back to God and keeping 90% for ourselves, we can quickly forget that EVERYTHING belongs to God! What would happen if all the Christ-followers in America began to pursue Jesus instead of the American Dream? What would happen if you submitted your dreams and desires to the God who gives all good things?

In our 2021 book, iWork4Him, I wrote a chapter about the lies we've swallowed that shape how we live out our faith at work – some of which I personally believed for many years. This third lie, I believed until I was 40! The lie was that you are a second-tier citizen in the Kingdom of God if you aren't s pastor or missionary. That somehow your life has less impact for God's glory if you aren't in traditional ministry. But here is the thing: The Kingdom of God doesn't have a ranking system. Every single person has a calling and a purpose to share the gospel – and you are called to share it right where you are! So if you have been looking for your place on the mission field, what about your workplace? It is filled with people who need the saving love of Christ!

In our 2021 book, iWork4Him, Jim wrote a chapter about the lies we've swallowed that shape how we live out our faith at work. The second lie he wrote about was that you should keep your faith at home because of the separation of church and state. This is one I hear all the time, but the truth is that when Thomas Jefferson wrote about this separation in 1802 it was intended to help protect the church from the state, not the state from the church. Freedom of religion is one of the founding principles of our country, and you have every right to bring your core beliefs with you to work! In fact, when you do, everyone around you should benefit from your relationship with Christ! Are you bringing Jesus with you to work or leaving Him at home?

In our 2021 book, iWork4Him, I wrote a chapter about the lies we've swallowed that shape how we live out our faith at work – some of which I personally believed for many years. The first lie I wrote about was that work is work and church is church. They have nothing to do with each other. When we live under this lie, we start to believe that living a life of faith at work will keep us from achieving success or accomplishing all we set out to do in our career. But this couldn't be further from the truth! When we bring our faith into our work, everything about our lives gets richer because we are investing in what matters ETERNALLY. Have you fallen into the lie that living with no compromises means settling for less in life? Kick this falsehood to the curb and invite Jesus into the workplace with you this week!

Let's be honest – we're all guilty of gossip at one time or another. This sneaky little sin often creeps in as grumbling, complaining, ranting, or venting- especially if we've had a hard day at work. Although gossip may seem small, but the truth is, it's not. I read an article by Erik Raymond the other day where he writes, "Gossip is the Devil's Ponzi scheme to get rich quickly on disunity." And guess what? His scheme works! Gossip hurts the speaker, the hearer, and the one being spoken about. It throws wood on the fire of division. Proverbs 26:20 says, "Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop." Don't fall into the Devil's scheme! Before you open your mouth at work today, consider if your words are throwing wood or water on the fire of disunity.

What is the number one goal of most businesses? I'll give you a hint: it starts with a "P" and it ends with "-ofit." That's right, the marketplace is built on profit - on financial gain. But God calls us to a different kind of business: the business of people. Kingdom minded businesses are founded not on a bottom line, but on a bottomless faith. They are all about ETERNAL profit. In Matthew 16:26 Jesus said, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" You are a one of kind commodity – and guess what? So are your bosses, employees, coworkers, and clients! Start investing in the people around you because when you share your faith, you reap a heavenly profit that can never be taken away!

We recently talked with Brenda Long, the Former Director of Infrastructure Operations at Food for the Hungry, about what it takes to end an issue as large as global poverty – her answer: partnership and cooperation. When we face enormous tasks - like ending hunger or bringing the gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation - we must remember that we are simply a part of the solution, not the whole thing. None of us can do it alone! We each have a small part to play. Luke 6:10 says, "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large things." So, as God entrusts you with small opportunities to partner with him and other believers for His Kingdom's glory, how will you respond? Remember, you are a part of Jesus's missions team in the workforce!

You've probably heard the phrase, "actions speak louder than words." And as true as that may be, our words are still a vital part of our testimony! What we say and how we say it can either build up the people around us or tear them down; draw them to Christ or push them away. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." What kind of words are coming out of your mouth at work? Do you swear? Do you gossip? Do you complain? Do you make sarcastic jokes? Or do you inspire, compliment, and motivate the people around you? I want to challenge you to add three positive and uplifting comments into your workplace conversation each day this week and see what kind of response you get!

The other day I heard about an easy conversational tip to help build quick relationships with new people no matter what situation you're in – from the office to the bus to the breakroom! It's called the FORD Method. The FORD Method is an acronym where the "F" stands for Family, "O" for Occupation, "R" for Recreation, and "D" for Dreams. By asking the other person questions in each of these four categories, there is no reason why you can't turn coworkers into friends, strangers into clients, and customers into regulars. So, who do you want to connect with on a deeper level this week? I challenge you to ask them more about their family, their feelings about their position or job, what they like to do in their free time, and their real dreams - then pray for open doors to share the gospel!

Have you ever found yourself caught up in petty workplace rivalries? If you have, then you know that they can get ugly – fast! When we play the comparison game, it's easy to spend more time looking over at our neighbor's desk and critiquing their work than actually focusing on doing our own work with excellence. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 the Apostle Paul writes, "We hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work..." Nothing good comes from jealousy, gossip, idleness, or comparison. So next time you find yourself tempted to peek over at your coworker's progress or lack of progress and decide to make a comment, stop and remember Paul's command to settle down and get to work!

What do you see when you look at your boss, coworkers, or employees? Do you see annoyances and frustrations, or do you see the image of God? As Christians, we believe that God creates all people in His own likeness, each one worthy and inherently valuable. And what's more, each person is also loved by God! Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Take that in for a second: Jesus loves your boss, coworkers, and employees so much that he was willing to die for them! Do your words and actions at work reflect Christ's love to those around you? Or do you find yourself slipping into judgment and anger? This week, I want to challenge you to treat everyone you meet with the love, dignity, and respect of Christ!

In our book, iWork4Him, Bob Willbanks writes about how he was "miserably saved." A condition where one is focused more on a life guided by the American Dream than on a life guided by Jesus. This mindset may have brought Bob worldly success and riches, but it also led him down the road of alcoholism, cost him his first marriage, and almost cost him his second. He was on the fast track to disaster until Jesus met him there. So, what about you? Are you miserably saved? Do you feel like your faith gets in the way of your dreams and ambitions? Or are your dreams and ambitions guided and set by your faith? Remember, true faith will direct you to set aside yourself and your selfish ambitions to seek God's purposes. When you rest in the promises of God and value the type of success that bears eternal fruits, you will cultivate a flourishing faith and abundant life.

In Matthew 10:27, a lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. The answer: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." God wants your whole life; He isn't interested in just a part of it. He doesn't just want your Sunday mornings. He wants it all. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year (and three hundred and sixty-six on leap years). And guess what? That includes the hours you spend at work! Following Jesus is not a part-time gig. It's all the time. So take a second and ask yourself if you have invited Jesus to come to work with you or if have you relegated Him to your private life.

During the work week, most people spend 40 hours at their job, 40 hours sleeping, and 40 hours for everything else – including commute time, chores, eating, hobbies, relaxation, and family time. This means, the greatest sphere of interpersonal influence you have is probably your job. Tracy Matthews from Attune said in a recent interview that, "Time spent at work typically consumes the largest share of waking hours and is one of our greatest arenas of character formation and external influence." In other words, your job is not just a job… it's an opportunity to impact the lives of others for Christ. The workplace is the largest mission field in the world and you are already deployed there! Don't waste a second of it! God wants to use you to reach your coworkers, employees, clients, and bosses with the love of Christ! How can you engage in your workplace mission field today?

Too often, when we hear the word "generous" we think only of financial giving. But what if God is calling us to be generous with our whole lives – not just our bank accounts? Proverbs 11:25 says, "Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." What if we redefined generosity as anything that refreshes those around us? In other words, taking time to listen, being lavish with our compliments, leaving room in our schedule to build relationships, using our influence to lift others up, and applying our talents to lighten the workload of our coworkers? Imagine the kind of cultural change our workplaces would have if we made a habit of refreshing others instead of draining them with negativity or exhaustion! Ask the Holy Spirit to redefine your idea of generosity this week!

If I had a quarter for every time I'm talking with someone about work and they say, "I just wish I knew what my purpose was," I would be a very rich man. We have been fed a lie in America that there is one exact job that God is calling us to, and if we miss that career path, we have somehow missed His purpose for us. But in Matthew 28:16 Jesus gives us the ultimate calling. He says, "Go and make disciples of all nations." Period. That is our purpose – our calling. To make disciples of all nations… including that grumpy coworker or difficult boss. In a recent interview, Pete Ochs said, "Your job or platform is really just the venue that God's given you to live out your purpose… to honor God." So remember, no matter what job you hold, your unchanging purpose is to share the good news of Jesus with everyone around you!

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." In other words, if you are going to follow after Jesus, you have to be willing for faith to cost you something. Drew Crandall from North East Christians at Work told us in a recent interview that, "It's relatively easy to be a Christ-follower at church on the weekend. But exporting, or integrating, your faith into the workplace is a challenge!" In other words, it's easy to be a one-day a week Christian… it's a whole other thing to invite Christ into your everyday. But trust me when I say the effort is worth it! Are you ready to take the challenge and commit to being a workplace missionary? Check out the iWork4Him Nation Covenant on our website, at iWork4Him.com/jointhenation.

When you are faced with a difficult person, a disagreement with your spouse, an unfair situation at work, or a complaining coworker – what is your initial response? Is it to open your mouth? Or is it to open your Bible? Too often we speak out of anger, frustration, or even a misguided sense of justice, without first seeking out the heart of our Heavenly Father. This type of response – more often than not - leads to broken relationships and unwise choices. However, when we take the time to consult with God FIRST about the challenging situations in our lives, he is faithful to answer in a way that brings life, goodness, and restoration to everyone around us. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." Next time you're frustrated, try opening your Bible before your mouth.

The International Encyclopedia of Human Geography defines Worldview as, "a set of beliefs or a mental model of reality that influences the way people perceive, think, know, and act in the world." When was the last time that you really considered how you view the world? What are the things that influence how you think and act in the workplace on a daily basis? This week, we want to invite you to recalibrate your heart and mind to a biblical worldview. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, pray that the Holy Spirit would give you his eyes, heart, and mind for those you work with, and see how He changes your perspective!

Have you ever left a conversation where you felt like the other person really understood you and cared about your life? If you have, chances are good that the reason you felt this way was because they genuinely listened to you. The truth is, it's impossible to get to know someone when we do all the talking. Instead, we have to ask questions, pause, and listen to the answer without interrupting or turning the conversation back to us and our interests. James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." How well do you listen to the people you work with? How about the customer or client that has a lot of complaints? Or the coworker who does things differently than you? I want to challenge you to speak less and listen more today.

Most companies are run with one thing in mind: the bottom line. According to the world, the most important measurement of a truly successful business is profit. But what if money and profit margin aren't how God defines success? Almost every Kingdom-minded company that we've interviewed over the last nine years has said that, in the end, successful and healthy business is all about people over profit. This may be contrary to what we are normally taught… but isn't that so like Jesus?! In the upside-down Kingdom of God, service and souls are the real measure of success. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." So, stop worrying solely about the bottom line and instead concern yourself with the eternal souls that walk through your door today!

We spend more than one-third of our life at work. Yet sadly, Barna research shows nearly two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on work and career, and yet, the workplace is where most Americans spend the biggest share of their waking hours. What can YOU do, to introduce your church to the importance of faith and work? Invite your pastor to your office, and ask him or her to pray for your team, your clients and your year for maximum impact for the Kingdom. What day this month will YOU invite YOUR pastor to work? For more recommended resources and ideas, go to our Resources page on iwork4him.com.